Exploring the spectrum in Athens, Georgia

Photo Essay: A Spectrum of Love in Athens, GA

Katelyn McCardel, a United States native from Marietta, Georgia, and Nanu Sutivze, from the town of Tbilisi in the country of Georgia met in Paris last September while studying abroad from their respective countries. They have been inseparable ever since… despite the literal distance between them in recent months.

Love in the LGBTQA community, however, can manifest in a variety of ways. From the reunion of a long-distance relationship, to a gathering of best friends baking pancakes and cupcakes on Valentine’s Eve, love of all kinds is in the air. On Monday, February 13, McCardel, Sutivze and their friends gathered to celebrate each other through sweets.

This post was written by Casie Wilson. Follow her on Twitter @casiedwilson

Katelyn McCardel (left), 19, a linguistics major at the University of Georgia from Marietta, Georgia, and Nanu Sutivze (right), 19, a finance major at the American University of Paris from Tbilisi, Georgia, discuss baking plans in French in Athens, Georgia, on Monday, February 13, 2017. Sutivze is visiting McCardel for Valentine’s Day. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)Katelyn McCardel (left), 19, a linguistics major at the University of Georgia from Marietta, Georgia, and Nanu Sutivze (right), 19, a finance major at the American University of Paris from Tbilisi, Georgia, discuss baking plans in French. Even with their other friends carrying on conversations across the room, they take time to share moments between just the two of them. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)Katelyn McCardel (left), 19, a linguistics major at the University of Georgia from Marietta, Georgia, and Nanu Sutivze (right), 19, a finance major at the American University of Paris from Tbilisi, Georgia, hold hands while smoking. They often use little signs of affection to express their love. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)Katelyn McCardel (left), 19, a linguistics major at the University of Georgia from Marietta, Georgia, and Nanu Sutivze (right), 19, a finance major at the American University of Paris from Tbilisi, Georgia, bake Georgian-style pancakes. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)Jamie Brener (left), 20, an English and art history major at the University of Georgia from Marietta, Georgia, and Shannon Duffy (right), 21, a jorunalism and geography major at UGA from Marietta, Georgia, embrace amidst friends in Brener’s kitchen in Athens, Georgia, on Monday, February 13, 2017. Brener invited some of her best friends over for a baking party. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)Jamie Brener (left), 20, an English and art history major at the University of Georgia from Marietta, Georgia, and Gabby Weis (right), 19, a fashion merchandising major at UGA from Cumming, Georgia, sip from Brener’s favorite rainbow mugs in Athens, Georgia, on Monday, February 13, 2017. Brener invited some of her best friends over for a baking party. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)Gabby Weis (left), 19, a fashion mechandising major at the University of Georgia from Cumming, Georgia, and Abby Bocinec (right), 20, a religion and women’s studies major at UGA from Decatur, Georgia, watch a Vine video together in Athens, Georgia, on Monday, February 13, 2017. Bocinec said Weis is the best straight ally friend any queer person could ask for. (Photo/Casie Wilson, casiedwilson@gmail.com)